NAME: Panamint
CityCOUNTY:InyoROADS:4WD Required.GRID #(see map):3CLIMATE: Cool
winter and hot summer
BEST TIME TO VISIT: If you like
winter camping or backpacking, you're Ok. If you don't or can't,
you may have some chilly times ahead -- or worse. There are several
cabins with stoves. David A. Wright.

COMMENTS:Breathtaking scenery, some on private property
with current mining. UPDATE: The road to Panamint City, CA (Inyo) is now
blocked. I was there on August 3 and there is a sign posted in front of
a house along the trail saying that the town was only accessible by foot,
and that it was 10 miles past the roadblock. I dont think we took any pics
of it but if I did, I will forward. Bill FieldREMAINS: The
tower and many crumbling ruins.

Founded in 1873,74, Panamint City had many mills,
saloons, stores, a red light district, a cemetery - all built along the
uppermost end of the Surprise Canyon. Panamint City was regarded as a
"bad and wicked" town, with Death Valley on one end of town
and the Panamint Mountains on the other end. Due to the constant hijacking
of the ore wagon, the miners soon cast the silver into one large ingot
that was too big and heavy to be stolen. Then it hit. On July 24, 1876,
a flash flood roared down the canyon and washed nearly the entire town
away leaving nothing worth saving. This spelled the end of the town. Some
people say they got what they deserved for their wickedness. The County
of Inyo used to maintain the road to Panamint City until about 1983, when
a terriffic series of cloudbursts completely washed the canyon out to
bedrock. Today, only the most dedicated 4x4 enthusiasts using highly modified
vehicles with winches can make a motorized trip up -- and then it often
takes more time than it does to walk up. There is always water running
down this section of the canyon, the source is Limekiln Springs, and the
water runs above ground for about a mile and a half. April 1997. - Ghosttowns.com

This from the Saturday, January 9, 1875 Napa REGISTER [Napa, California]
regarding Panamint City, California:THE NEW EL DORADO -- THE PANAMINT
MINES PANAMINT, or Jonesville, as it is called by some, is situated in
the Telescope mountains, Inyo county, California, about 180 miles eastwardly
from Bakersfield, in Kern county, and 110 miles from Independence, county
seat of Inyo county. Good roads leading to the mines from both places.
Its elevation is about 4,800 feet above the level of the sea, at the head
of Surprise canon. The road up the canon is a good natural grade, with
an average rise of about 500 feet to the mile, and is being improved as
fast as possible. HOW TO REACH THE CAMP The camps can be reached by three
different routes: by rail to Bakersfield, and stage from there to Kernville
and Indian Wells, where the road branches off from the Cerro Gordo route.
The second route is by steamer and rail to Los Angeles, and by stage to
Indian Wells, the rest same as by Bakersfield route. Third - by rail to
Reno, Nevada, and Carson, and stage via Aurora to Independence. For the
first named, see advertisement of the Bakersfield, Cerro Gordo, and Panamint
Stage Line; and the last, Carson, Aurora, Independence, and Cerro Gordo,
connecting at Lone Pine for Panamint. LIVING AND WAGES Living is reasonable,
considering the distance to be freighted and the high price charged from
Bakersville [sic], Los Angeles, and San Barnardino [sic] - 4½ to 6 cents
per pound. Flour is $9 per hundred; bacon, 25 cents, coffee, 50 cents,
sugar, 25 cents, potatoes, 10 cents, onions, 10 cents per pound; wood,
$5.50 per cord. Feed for horses is quite scarce, and consequently high:
Barley, 8 cents per pound by the sack, 10 cents per pound by the feed;
hay 7 cents per pound by the bale, 8 cents by the feed. Lumber, none in
camp. The last sold at $130 per thousand feet. Miners receive $3 per day
and board, or $4 and board themselves; laborers, from $2.60 upwards, according
to demand. THE MINES In this district are noted for the immense richness
and width of the ledges on the surface. How they will hold out at a considerable
depth is problematic, none of the mines being developed to a depth of
more than fifty or sixty feet, at which depth they hold good. It is the
opinion, however, of many mining experts that they will be permanent to
a great depth. Among the principal mines are Jacob's Wonder, now being
worked, the company employing some twenty-five or thirty men in the mine
and around their mill. They have a small five-stamp mill for concentrating
the metals, which they will be sent to San Francisco or some other point
to be reduced. The mill is expected to commence running in a short time.
Stewart's Wonder is another promising mine, but not worked at present.
The Wyoming, Venus and Great Sunrise are being worked. The Mountain View,
Esperanza, Hemlock, Panamint and Hudson River are among the prominent
claims which are lying idle at present. There are numerous other mines
in this district of great promise, but being held by men of small means
are not developed sufficiently to attract much attention. --------------------------
David A. Wright Great Basin Research

Looking up "Main Street" Panamint City
Courtesy David A. Wright
Great Basin Research

Panamint Cabins
Courtesy Bill Cook

Panamint Ore Cart
Courtesy Bill Cook

Panamint Brick Arch
Courtesy Bill Cook

Panamint City
Courtesy Bill Cook

Panamint City
Courtesy Bill Cook

Smelter stack, Panamint City
Courtesy David A. Wright
Great Basin Research

Smelter stack, Panamint City
Courtesy David A. Wright
Great Basin Research

Smelter stack
Courtesy David A. Wright
Great Basin Research

Townsite of Panamint City.
Courtesy David A. Wright
Great Basin Research

The "road" to Panamint City today
Courtesy David A. Wright
Great Basin Research

Smelter ruins
Courtesy David A. Wright
Great Basin Research

Smelter ruins
Courtesy David A. Wright
Great Basin Research

Ruins of Panamint City's earliest dwellings
Courtesy David A. Wright
Great Basin Research